Find Background Check Records in Collierville
Collierville criminal records and background check data are managed by the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk and the Collierville Police Department. This page covers where to search court records, how to request police reports, and how to run a statewide background check for Collierville, Tennessee.
Collierville Quick Facts
Shelby County Court System
Collierville sits in Shelby County. Criminal cases filed against Collierville residents are processed through the Shelby County courts based in Memphis. Felony charges go to the Shelby County Criminal Court. Misdemeanor and lower-level charges are handled first at the General Sessions Criminal Court. The records created at each level are public and can be searched or copied through the court clerk's office.
Tennessee's free court case search portal at tncourts.gov lets you look up cases by name or case number. The search is free and covers Shelby County. It shows charges, court dates, and case status. Full documents are not available online, but the portal tells you whether someone has a case on file and what the outcome was. It is a good starting point for any Collierville background check.
| Court | Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01 Memphis, TN 38103 |
| Phone | (901) 222-3500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The clerk handles certified copy requests for criminal case files. You can go in person or call ahead to ask about mail requests. Full details on Shelby County courts are on the Shelby County background check page.
Court Clerk Records Office
The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk keeps all criminal case files for Collierville and the rest of the county. If you need court records tied to a specific Collierville case, the clerk's office in Memphis is the right contact. Staff search by name or case number and provide copies from active and archived files.
Certified copies cost more than plain copies. The price depends on how many pages are in the file. Call (901) 222-3500 before visiting to confirm current rates and whether you need to make an appointment. Most in-person requests are handled the same day. Mail requests take longer and may require a written request form along with a check or money order for fees.
Collierville misdemeanor cases go through the Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court before reaching the higher Criminal Court. If you are checking someone's full record, check both courts. A case that was disposed of at the General Sessions level will not show as a Criminal Court file. Both clerks are housed at the same courthouse complex on Poplar Avenue in Memphis.
Collierville Police Department Records
The Collierville Police Department serves the city and keeps records of local arrests, traffic stops, incident reports, and citations. These records are separate from what the court clerk holds. A police record documents the original event; court records show what the legal system did with it after. You may need both for a thorough background check on a Collierville resident.
To request records from the Collierville Police Department, contact the records division. You will likely need to fill out a public records request form and pay a per-page copy fee. Tennessee law requires agencies to respond to public records requests promptly. Most standard requests, such as incident reports or arrest logs, are available unless tied to an active investigation or otherwise exempt under state law.
| Department | Collierville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 167 Washington Street Collierville, TN 38017 |
| Phone | (901) 853-3207 |
| Records Division | Call main number and ask for Records |
Juvenile records are not public. Records related to ongoing investigations may also be withheld. If a request is denied, the department must give a written explanation citing the specific exemption under Tennessee law.
Statewide Background Checks Through TBI
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) runs Tennessee's official criminal history database. A TBI background check covers all counties in the state, including Shelby County and Collierville. The check pulls from court data, arrest records, and corrections records statewide. It costs $29 and is the best single source for a complete criminal history in Tennessee.
The TBI's online system is called TORIS - Tennessee Online Records Information System. Go to tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov/Toris/ to run a name-based search. You pay the $29 fee online and receive your results electronically. There is no office visit required. The system is available to the public and is widely used by employers, landlords, and volunteer organizations in Collierville and across Tennessee.
Learn more about what the TBI background check covers and how to use the system at tn.gov/tbi/divisions/cjis-division/background-checks.html. Keep in mind that TBI results reflect records in the state database. Expunged records and some older arrests may not appear. For a thorough check, pair the TBI search with Shelby County court records and Collierville police records.
Public Records Access in Tennessee
Tennessee's Public Records Act gives citizens the right to inspect and copy government records. This right is established under T.C.A. § 10-7-503. Under this law, criminal court records, arrest logs, and most government documents are open to anyone. You do not need to explain why you want a record. The agency must provide it within a reasonable time or explain in writing why it is being withheld.
Common records useful for background checks on Collierville residents include criminal court case files, General Sessions charging documents, arrest logs from the police department, and felony offender data from the state corrections system. All fall under the public records framework unless specifically exempted by statute.
If a request is denied without a valid reason, you can challenge the denial. Tennessee law provides a process for disputing improper denials. You can contact the Office of Open Records Counsel through the Tennessee Comptroller's office for help with access issues. Most routine background check requests, though, are handled without dispute.
Expungement of Criminal Records
Tennessee allows eligible individuals to have criminal records expunged. Expungement removes the record from court files and state databases so it no longer appears in standard public searches. The law governing expungement in Tennessee is T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Eligibility depends on the type of offense, the outcome of the case, and how much time has passed.
If charges were dismissed or the person was found not guilty, they may petition for expungement right away at no cost. If there was a conviction, the person must meet additional requirements: complete the full sentence, pay all fines and fees, wait the required number of years, and have no new offenses. Not all convictions qualify. Violent felonies and sex offenses generally cannot be expunged under Tennessee law.
To file for expungement in Shelby County, you submit a petition to the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk in Memphis. The filing fee for expungement of a conviction is $350. A judge reviews the petition and either grants or denies it. If granted, the TBI and other agencies update their records. After expungement, the record will not show up in most background checks for Collierville residents.
Felony Offender Information
The Tennessee Department of Correction provides a free public database called the Felony Offender Information Lookup, or FOIL. This tool lets you search for individuals who are currently incarcerated or under state supervision for felony offenses in Tennessee. It is a useful resource when checking whether someone from Collierville has a felony record tied to the corrections system.
Search FOIL at apps.tn.gov/foil-app/search.jsp. The search is by name. Results include the type of offense, sentence length, and current supervision status. FOIL only covers people who went through the state corrections system, so it will not show misdemeanor-only records or cases that did not result in incarceration. Use it alongside the TBI TORIS search and Shelby County court records for a more complete picture.
Tennessee also keeps a Sex Offender Registry at the TBI website. This is free and searchable by name or address. If you are screening someone in Collierville for housing or employment, checking both FOIL and the Sex Offender Registry adds useful context beyond what a court record search alone provides.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also fall under the Shelby County court system. Criminal records for each city run through the same courthouse in Memphis.
Shelby County Background Check Records
Collierville is in Shelby County. All criminal court cases go through the Shelby County courts in Memphis. For full county information, including court contacts, fees, and related resources, visit the Shelby County page.